Forged by Fire

Sharon M. Draper

Apr 2011 · Hazelwood High Trilogy Book 2 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

The flame of love burns bright in the second book of Sharon M. Draper’s award-winning Hazelwood High trilogy.

When Gerald was a child he was fascinated by fire. But fire is dangerous and powerful, and tragedy strikes. His substance-addicted mother is taken from him. Then he loses the loving generosity of a favorite aunt, and a brutal stepfather with a flaming temper and an evil secret makes his life miserable. The one bright light in Gerald's life is his little half sister, Angel, whom he struggles to protect from her father, who is abusing her.

Somehow Gerald manages to finds success as a member of the Hazelwood Tigers basketball team, and Angel develops her talents as a dancer, despite the trouble that still haunts them. And Gerald learns, painfully, that young friends can die and old enemies must be faced. In the end he must stand up to his stepfather alone in a blazing confrontation.

In this second book of the Hazelwood High trilogy, Sharon M. Draper has woven characters and events from Tears of a Tiger in an unflinchingly realistic portrayal of poverty and child abuse. It is an inspiring story of a young man who rises above the tragic circumstances of his life by drawing on the love and strength of family and friends.

Ratings and reviews

I am been finished reading this book and all that I can say is sadness is definitely a factor here. You have a mother that doesn't care about there kid at all. She still has the time to be doing drugs and other things. How low of a mother can y pu be to your own kid. He was left alone and playing with her litter that she doesn't put away, and it's him that goes to the hospital as a result. He goes to live with aunt queen who truly cares for him and treats him with kindness, but with a tough loving way.

Like I did book one,I give this book five out of five stars.Its one of the best I have read in my life. (no exaggeration) As the first one, you feel the characters. A boy(Gerald)goes from an abusive and drug addicted mom to an even worse dad who hurts both Gerald and his sister. You feel the emotions of the characters. I am 12 years old. Please read this book Thanks

I dont read. AT ALL! I NEVER even go half way through the book before puting it down. One day our teacher said that we had to do a report on a book or you flunk the semester. I just picked this book for no reason. And as I started reading it page after page.... i was interested. FIRST BOOK TO EVER GET MY ATTENTION!!! It even made me cry. Also once I read a book once... i get boared and never read it again even if i wanted to. But i have read this book 9 times and im reading it again! Thanks Waukena School<3

About the author

Sharon M. Draper is a three-time New York Times bestselling author for Out of My Mind, Blended, and Out of My Heart. She’s also won Coretta Scott King Awards for Copper Sun and Forged by Fire and multiple honors. She’s also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Sharon taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.